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JAIN VIEW OF KARMA
Dt. 02-01-1980
Some people in the world are wealthy, some experience happiness and some are charming while on the other hand many wallow in poverty or go through misery or are created so uncouth as to make them feel hesitant even to mingle with friends. What are the contributory factors which place some in an enviable position, healthy and rich, and others grief-stricken, weak and poor? It cannot be a matter of chance or accident. The Doctrine of Karma, the gravitating force that controls the fate of man, is one of the pivotal concepts of Jainism. Prosperity or adversity of man is the result of his deeds, good or wicked, committed in this life or in the past. No one should hence be blamed for his helpless plight and his own suffering. The Jain scriptures say that man is the maker and breaker of his own fate and friend or foe of his own self.
Acharya Vikramasurishwarji in his discorse in Parshvanath Temple (Mint) pointed out how cowardly and foolish it would be for a person to cringe for happiness from God after indulging in misdeeds and unleashing evil acts on fellow beings. Jainism states that no one inflicts punishments on
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man except his own karmas. But the Jain Sutras also mention that even at a time when one's past karmas are ripe to react, the observance of religious injunctions and the code of moral conduct can reduce their vicious effects. The consequences of karmas will become infructuous if one practises tolerance and love by following the messages given by saints and sages and by developing contentment and forbearance. Every- one should realise the power of spiritual endeavour which can nullify the impact of karmas and get freed from their bondage. One can intensify the good karmas to raise one's fortunes to the peak. It is also possible to entirely change the nature of one's karmas.
Fire and Sea look Good from distance.
To attain peace in life, stop being slave of materialistic world.
Love unites us.
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